Bangladeshi Sailors Spend Eid al-Adha at Sea
Photo Collected
Thirty-one Bangladeshi sailors aboard the state-owned vessel *Banglar Jayjatra* marked their second consecutive holiday in confinement as they observed Eid-ul-Adha while anchored in the Persian Gulf. The crew, employed by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, performed prayers on the ship’s navigation bridge on Wednesday, a stark reminder of their prolonged ordeal amid ongoing regional geopolitical tensions.
The vessel has been stranded for nearly three months following the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and its adversaries. Although a ceasefire has been in effect in the region since April 8, the Iranian authorities have yet to grant the necessary clearance for the ship to traverse the Strait of Hormuz. While other international vessels have reportedly resumed movement with Iranian authorization, the *Banglar Jayjatra* remains caught in a diplomatic and logistical limbo.
Captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan, the vessel’s master, noted that the crew is facing significant psychological strain due to the uncertainty of their situation. To mitigate the impact, the crew attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy, sharing a celebratory meal that included traditional dishes of polao, camel meat, and beef.
The ship’s predicament began on February 27, when it arrived at the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates carrying a cargo of steel coils. The situation escalated rapidly the following day when conflict erupted in the region, effectively trapping the ship within the Persian Gulf.
Despite multiple attempts by the crew to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic efforts by the Bangladeshi government to secure their safe passage, the vessel remains stationary. Captain Khan acknowledged that there is currently no clear timeline for when the ship will be permitted to depart, leaving the sailors to wait indefinitely for the clearance required to continue their voyage.
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